Companies are looking for new ways to increase sales. Social media platforms like Instagram are a great way to reach your target audience.

Many entrepreneurs ask themselves the question:

Why is Instagram the right platform?

The interaction rate is crucial. Followers interact more often on Instagram. The social media app is suitable for businesses.

Studies have proven that Instagram has significantly more interactions (4.8%). Neither Facebook nor Twitter can match this interaction rate. On Twitter, the average interaction rate is 0.25%. Facebook is not much better with 0.72%.

For this reason, you should resort to Instagram. Many influencers are active on the platform. Apart from YouTube and TikTok, Instagram is the influencer platform par excellence.

According to a study by InfluencerDB, 39% of all Instagram profiles with more than 15,000 followers are active as influencers. This offers you opportunities to market your products.

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For which businesses does Instagram make sense?

Not all companies are the same.

Different people are interesting for an energy company than for a beauty salon.

Is your clientele active on Instagram?

First, you should think about this question. Not every German uses the social media app.

The age, place of residence, and gender of your target group all play a role. Especially the 18 to 34 year olds use Instagram. (Source: Statista)

If your company appeals to older people, newspapers and flyer advertising are worthwhile.

Another important aspect is the attractiveness of your product.

Is it possible to present your product in a visually appealing way?

This is easier to do for a café than for a property management company. Appealing images are not impossible despite a difficult subject.

As a property management company, it can pay to put people first. They can talk about their positive experiences.

Instagram videos on topics like:

1. How do I find the right property management company?
2. Why do you need a property management company?
3. How much money does property management cost?

It quickly becomes clear: You have to offer added value.

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Choose your target group

The right content depends on your audience.

If you publish interesting pictures, new subscribers will follow you.

What are exciting contributions?

Exciting content are posts that inspire your followers. Sports fans are interested in different content than fashion lovers.

You need to think about your target audience:

1. What topics are your customers interested in?
2. What questions do your customers have for your company?
3. How can you add value?

These questions will help you develop an Instagram strategy. Then you'll convince new people to use your account.

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Define your Instagram goals

Before you get started with your Instagram account, you need to decide on your main goal.

What do you want to achieve?

Interesting opportunities for companies include:

• Sales increase
• Brand awareness
• higher customer satisfaction
• Recruitment of employees

Your ideas depend on your industry, among other things. An e-commerce company focuses on sales. A carpenter wants to attract employees.

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Create Instagram business account

The business account is crucial. You can view statistics around your brand. Furthermore, you get an insight into the characteristics of your community. You can see general information about the gender, age and location of your followers.

This is an optimal opportunity for companies. Then you have the opportunity to find out more about your followers. Furthermore, you can customize your images.

The more you cater to your target audience, the more sales and interactions you will achieve.

Other benefits of a business account include:

1. Link to your website
2. Deposit contact details
3. Instagram Shopping

With contact information like your phone number and email address, people can reach you with one click.

This is a good opportunity to implement sales.

How do you set up your Instagram business account?

1. Click on your Instagram account.
2. Select the "Settings" item.
3. Tap on "Convert to business account".
4. Done. Your business account is ready to go.

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What are Instagram shopping posts?

Instagram Shopping posts include tags. This is the difference with feed content.

You assign products, markers with prices and availability data. Then interested people will see the product name and price.

This offers you enormous opportunities to increase sales. The function makes sense if you have an online store. Otherwise, your business can do without it.

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Use Instagram Shopping

A basic requirement for Instagram Shopping is the business profile. Furthermore, businesses must sell physically existing products. Instagram does not allow the sale of software and licenses via the platform.

Only companies from certain countries are admitted. These include, for example, all EU countries, the USA and Canada.

Social media users can go from your Instagram post to your product page with one click. This allows you to create new sales.

In addition, you can mark up to 5 shopping products in posts. With thousands of followers, high sums quickly accumulate.

The advantage is obvious.

Every time you publish a new post, followers can purchase with one click.

This is the easiest way to attract customers. In addition, self-employed people can skillfully increase brand awareness.

Have you launched a new range?

Then Instagram carousel posts are worthwhile.

How do carousel contributions work?

Carousel posts contain multiple images. With some swiping back and forth, users can click through the entire assortment.

You can mark up to 20 products in one post in carousel posts. This is not the only advantage.

Every time you tag a product, Instagram displays the goods in the shopping section of your profile. This creates an entire assortment that followers can view in their profile.

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Shopping advantages at a glance

Advantage 1: Simplified purchase process

Instagram Shopping makes shopping easier. The attention of your fans is steadily decreasing.

It is difficult for entrepreneurs to attract users to the online store. Many people want to look at Instagram posts in peace.

Then advertising sucks. With Instagram Shopping, you can still achieve your marketing goals.

Advantage 2: Promote products directly

In the Instagram profile there is just a link to promote your own business. For online stores that want to increase sales, this is not enough. For this reason, the shopping function is a significant step forward.

Advantage 3: Address interested parties who are willing to buy

When you create an Instagram Shopping post, it will appear in the "Explore" section on Instagram.

This gives you the opportunity to present products to users who are willing to buy. If this then arouses interest, it is not far to a sale.

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7 tips to attract more customers on Instagram

Want to attract customers quickly? In addition to Instagram Shopping, Stories offer you the opportunity to do so. A suitable profile description supports you on the way to more customers.

These 7 tips are guaranteed to help you out.

More sales through Instagram Shopping

The right tips make the difference between success and failure. You need to be aware of a few pitfalls when shopping on Instagram.

Instagram shopping helps you get more sales - provided you know what you're doing.

Tip 1: Do not overdo it

The shopping function is set up. Now the first users make a crucial mistake. Most marketing users use shopping markers in every image.

That doesn't move anyone forward. Users are quickly annoyed by the advertising. You have to pay attention to the right measure. Your strategy counts.

Tip 2: Use the right spacing

Many users forget that your subscribers see the shopping images on their smartphones. It is important that you pay attention to appropriate spacing.

When the markers overlap, the user experience decreases. The result is that your sales decrease.

Tip 3: More attention with an interesting profile

The first thing users see when they come across your profile is your profile picture. Users decide within 200 milliseconds whether your profile is interesting - or not.

This means that you need to make your Instagram profile convincing at first sight.

You don't have time for a second chance.

What do you have to watch out for?

Your profile picture must be easily recognizable. Companies should adapt their logo to the round image format.

What does that mean?

For a logo with writing, you should slightly bend the text. To stand out more, you can choose a creative background. The colors red, orange and blue are suitable.

Create a round logo! Your brand will stand out better.

Tip 4: The description

Let's talk about the Profile description to talk about.

The Instagram profile is a great opportunity. You can briefly and concisely introduce your company.

What information should you choose for your profile?

1. Services / products you offer
2. Call to Action (Shop Now, Make Appointment Now)
3. Opening hours, if applicable
4. Link to the online store or make an appointment

Tip 5: Use Instagram Live

Instagram Live is a story variation. You have the possibility to answer questions and give insights into your projects. Furthermore, the app helps you to increase the satisfaction of your customers.

This allows you to broadcast events to your followers' cell phones in real time. Additionally, you can communicate directly with your followers. They can comment on your video. Your business benefits. You gain more attention for your company.

This creates a closer bond with your subscribers.

Tip 6: Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories have replaced the feed as the medium with the widest reach. If you have more than 10,000 followers, you can add links to your Story.

Instagram stickers let you share polls, questions, and ideas. It's a great way to start a conversation with your subscribers.

Tip:

Many people don't know. You can use hashtags in Stories.

With the hashtag sticker, your business can gain exposure. If many people like your story, your post will be displayed under the hashtags.

Tip 7: Instagram TV

Instagram TV lets you share longer videos with your community. The feature is interesting for your viewers. You make new people aware of you. This helps you in the long run. New people will follow you.

Your content can be from 15 seconds to 10 minutes long. A large account can upload videos up to 60 minutes long.

You can dedicate yourself to one topic in depth with Instagram TV. This is interesting for companies.

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Short and sweet

Instagram offers many opportunities for your business. Your business can really benefit from the platform.

As an entrepreneur, avoid this mistake:

You should not assume that success will happen overnight. If you work on your account in the long term, you will become successful. A clear marketing strategy is essential. Your photos must be convincing.

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You want to learn more?

Then we recommend our Content Marketing Academy, where you can train to become a certified Content Marketing Manager in just 6 weeks. Click here and apply!

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